Dressed to Keel

Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (1/07) I picked this book up on a Sunday morning and figured that I would read for an hour or so and then do my chores. Its 5PM, the book is finished, no chores are done and I am still in my PJ's. This is one of the few books that I have read that I can honestly say I could not put it down once I started it. "Dressed to Keel" is Candy Calvert's launch of the Darcy Cavanaugh mystery series and she has a real winner. The story starts out "The cruise brochure promised confetti, melting wedges of Brie, well-stuffed tuxedoes, and silver buckets of Dom Perignon." Who would not want to go on a trip like that? Darcy Cavanaugh gets that and so much more, including murder and mystery as she takes a much needed vacation. Darcy is an ER nurse who is burned out with her job and by love. She decides to get away from it all by taking this cruise with senior citizens because her friend Marie is the shipboard nurse. But after a cabin steward is found dead and the robberies begin, the fingers are pointing at Marie. Darcy must find a way to clear her friend of the murder and solve the mystery before the body count starts piling up. Darcy's first and primary suspect is the handsome and sexy dance instructor Luke Skyler. He always seems to be around when trouble brews and is also watching her very closely. Or could it be any one of the outrageous seniors who are also on the cruise? This is what Darcy must find out as she becomes the next target on the ship. "Dressed to Keel" is full of outrageous characters, gourmet food, champagne and beautiful clothes. The story is a mystery, but is kept light and full of fun. Calvert proves that she has a wonderful sense of humor over and over again through this mystery story and I am very much looking forward to her next installment in the Darcy Cavanaugh mysteries. After all...who needs to go food shopping or have a clean house or laundry when there is great mystery novel to be read?

Candy Calvert has created the funniest most mischievous klutz of a character(Darcy)I have met in a long time. I laughed, giggled, and hoo-hawd my way through the book. I give it the highest compliment I possibly can " I slowed my reading down because I was not ready to leave these wacky characters. " Thanks Candy Calvert and I look forward to more Darcy adventures. May they be as funny and witty as this one.

From prow to stern--I mean, beginning to end--this is one hilarious, madcap adventure at sea. Calvert combines her medical and cruise knowledge with a distinct flair for story-crafting.

This is a great mix of humor, romance and mystery! I found myself laughing out loud at some of the predicaments Darcy and Marie get themselves into. These two characters are relatable, lovable and hilarious you'll find yourself rooting for them to find the thief!

I was lucky enough to receive an advance review copy of Dressed to Keel... and this one's a keeper. After showing up at her boyfriend's house wearing nothing but a raincoat and a smile - only to be greeted by a Labrador Retriever and the boyfriend's wife - burnt-out nurse Darcy Cavanaugh decides to book herself on a North Atlantic cruise. And with hunky dance host Luke Skyler hanging on her words, gorgeous vistas, luscious buffets, and her best friend Marie on board, it's looking like a little R & R is just the ticket. Until a rash of robberies sweeps through the ship, and Darcy realizes that the only thing the victims have in common is loads of dough - and lots of dances with Luke. Then Darcy's cabin steward winds up dead and hanging from a deck rail, and the ship's Nepalese security force whisks Marie away `for questioning'. When someone tries to drop a lifeboat on Darcy's head, she realizes she has to unravel things fast... or she may not make it to the next port of call. With an unsinkable amateur sleuth, red-hot romance, fabulous settings, and a nail-biting finale, Dressed to Keel will keep you up all night - and leave you begging for more.